When you buy a new door, it’s often for aesthetic reasons, right? We all want the entrance to our homes and businesses to look grandiose. As such, it stands to reason that most of us will look for modern door designs that combine modern minimalism with aesthetic opulence. With that in mind, you might choose a uPVC door. While these doors look great, finding a suitable letterbox for uPVC door designs is not always easy. Where do you start? We asked for advice from UK experts at Locks & Hardware.
As experts in the subject of door fittings, including a front door letterbox, we gained invaluable insight into the topic. Installing a letterbox for a UPVC door is not easy. It can take a lot of patience and a range of tools you might not have. The guide below should make getting started a little easier. That said, we highly recommend that if you worry about damaging your door, then you should hire a professional.
While installing a door letterbox is capable for most DIY enthusiasts, do not extend yourself beyond your means. If you also wish to upgrade your door with new security features, it would be wise to contact a professional, such as a locksmith, to do the whole job for you.
What You Need To Install A Door Letterbox On UPVC Doors
The challenge that most DIY enthusiasts face when looking to install a letterbox for UPVC doors is finding the tools. You will need more than the basic tools you have, most likely. If you find the cost of buying these tools exceeds your budget, it might be better to simply hire a locksmith.
To get started on the job, you are going to need at least the following tools:
- A measuring tape so you can correctly measure the dimensions of your door letterbox
- Marking tools, such as a pencil – pencil is preferred as it is easier to rub off afterwards
- A Phillips head screwdriver, or a screwdriver where you can change the head(s)
- Your new letterbox; find a weather-sealed, telescopic letterbox
Please note that if your UPVC door does not already have a letterbox in place, you will need to be willing to cut the letterbox shape into the door itself. This is naturally a much more complicated task, and something that we highly recommend anyone who isn’t a veteran DIY enthusiast avoid.
A Step-By-Step Guide To Fitting A Letterbox To A UPVC Door
To get started on installing your new letterbox, you have quite a few steps you need to go through. Whether you are installing a front door letterbox or an outdoor letterbox, the process remains the same. To install just about any standard letterbox for UPVC doors, focus on the following steps:
Starting Off: Measuring Your UPVC Letterbox
The first thing that you will need to do is make sure that you measure the correct spaces for your new letterbox. Start off by measuring the height and width of your current letterbox (assuming you have one). You need to measure the size of the internal slot as well as the exterior ‘postal’ slot, which is where the post comes through. You need accurate measurements, not estimates, so take your time.
Also, be sure to measure the thickness of the door itself. This will make sure that your new letterbox is going to be thick enough; too thin or too thick means that the letterbox will likely not fit into place.
Removing The Previous Letterbox
You will now need to begin the process of getting rid of your old letterbox. For the most part, this is as simple as unscrewing the four screws in each corner of the letterbox. Once the screws have been taken out, the letterbox should come off without much resistance. However, you might also need to remove the seals from the previous letterbox; these are usually peeled off, but be careful. If you go too quickly, you could damage the door. Usually, the other side of the letterbox will fall off as well.
Fitting The New Letterbox
With the old letterbox removed, it’s time to fit your new letterbox for your UPVC door. Start by taking the gasket for your new letterbox and putting it in place. Ideally, this should fit directly into the hole that is already in your door from the previous letterbox.
Using the same screws as before (or new screws if they have rusted/corroded), tightly fit the new screws into place. Make sure that the alignment is correct and the screws are put on tightly. If the letterbox feels loose, tighten it further. Now, if you have it, add some silicone around the edge of the letterbox to help reduce the risk of water damage or draughting around the edges.
Now, do the same for the external plate. Again, make sure everything is correctly positioned. Secure both plates tightly and ensure the flap is facing downward, not upward. Once both sides are in place, it is time to fit the sleeve. The sleeve should fit through the hole without issue. You might need to apply some physical pressure here to make it stick in place. Test everything out once finished.
Again, do not put yourself at risk. If you feel like any of the above is beyond you, or you worry about making a costly mistake, hire a professional. A locksmith, for example, can fit your letterbox for UPVC doors, no problem.
When In Doubt, Call A Locksmith!
As you can see, then, installing a new letterbox for UPVC doors is not easy. With the right tools and some experience, it can be a fun DIY experience to take on. However, given the cost of a door, it would not be wise to experiment; you might need to go ahead and replace the whole door if you make a mistake. So, when you are in doubt about the results, contact a professional locksmith instead.
A professional can easily manage the installation of your new door letterbox instead. Generally, fitting a letterbox for UPVC doors is a task best left to a professional with experience. Mistakes here can compromise your door’s security or functionality, so if you are uncertain or you lack the time/tools to do the job, contact a professional.
